Russia proposes building new nuclear power plant in Armenia

Russia has proposed building a nuclear power plant with one or two power units in Armenia.

Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, made the announcement in remarks to the Vesti news agency.

He noted that nuclear energy currently accounts for 30% of Armenia’s electricity generation, but demand is growing and could lead to a shortage of generating capacity in the coming decades.

“We need to prepare for that. Our proposal is to build a large- or medium-capacity nuclear power plant with one or two power units that will meet the anticipated energy shortfall for decades to come. We are also firmly convinced that maintaining expertise in nuclear energy is itself a hallmark of a modern economy and a developed industrial sector,” Likhachev said.

He also recalled that, following the latest phase of the Armenian nuclear power plant’s modernisation, the facility’s generating capacity had been increased by about 10%.

Armenia is currently extending the operational lifespan of its existing nuclear power plant by another 10 years, after which it plans to build a new facility.

The Armenian government has decided that the new plant should be modular and is holding negotiations with five countries — France, the United States, Russia, China and South Korea — on the project.